Vol. 2, No. 21

May 1999

IN THIS ISSUE:

-- HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPOSITION NEWS --

PRESIDENTIAL MARATHON OVER

The unofficial presidential election in Belarus, which intended to challenge the authority of President Lukashenko, concluded on May 16 after 10 days of door-to-door vote collection. The opposition’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) officials and their aides spent 10 days, moving through apartment buildings and asking residents to vote, sometimes without demanding identification papers or checking the list of voters. On May 16, they completed the process by operating two polling stations in Minsk. One of the stations opened in the morning in a bus parked near the South-East residential area. The bus was covered with placards "The Fate of the Fatherland is in Your Hands!", "Give Belarus Freedom of Speech!", "Our Home is Independent Belarus!" The other polling station operated at the campaign headquarters of ex-Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, the only actual presidential candidate left after Zyanon Paznyak attempted to withdraw his candidacy. (Reuters, May 17)

…WITH INVALID RESULTS

On May 18, the opposition CEC adopted a resolution concerning the results of the presidential elections in Belarus. In particular, it said:

"Having examined the records of the regional and Minsk Commissions for Presidential Elections, the CEC decided to:

1. Consider the voting itself valid because more than a half of all eligible voters, i.e., 4,000,804 or 53.02 per cent, participated.

2. Consider the final results of the voting invalid because of the violations that might influence the results, viz., obstacles created by the authorities, the practical absence of a free public discussion of the candidates’ programs as well as agitation for or against a candidate, a presidential nominee’s violation of the Law on Presidential Elections [referring to Paznyak’s withdrawal of his candidacy alongside with his publicly calling to boycott the election];

3. Repeat the procedure within 3 months of the original voting, including a new nomination of the candidates." (Charter 97, May 18)

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT COMMENTS ON OPPOSITION PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS…
On March 20, James Rubin, U.S. Department of State spokesman issued the following statement: "The Department of State calls attention to the Belarusian opposition's attempt to hold a presidential election that concluded on May 16. The opposition's electoral initiative represented an effort by democrats in Belarus to engage in the dialogue with the Belarusian people that the Lukashenko regime has so far rejected. It dramatized the constitutional and political impasse that President Lukashenko created by overthrowing the country's constitution in 1996 and by his suppression of human rights. It has made clear for all to see his failure to unite the country and ensure political stability.

The United States deplores the Belarusian authorities' measures to suppress this effort to return the country to the path of democratic development. The government conducted reprisals against the election's organizers and participants, jailed presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Chigir on trumped-up charges of corruption and threatened to close independent newspapers for reporting on the election.

We again call on the Belarusian government to change course and take the initiative to convene a dialogue without preconditions with the country's democratic forces and with the public as a whole. The United States will continue to give strong support to democracy and human rights in Belarus and urges the international community to do so. (U.S. Department of State, May 20)

…AS DOES OSCE

On May 17, Adrian Severin, former Romanian Foreign Minister and head of an OSCE visiting mission to Belarus, told a news conference that the May 16 unofficial presidential election in Belarus deserve the respect of democratic states - even though it fell short of legal standards - because of "the active engagement and participation of many citizens." He added that due to official obstacles and direct pressure "the elections on May 16 were not expected to meet OSCE standards." Severin pointed out that the OSCE demanded the release of ex-Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, who is still in prison under spurious charges, "the detention of a presidential candidates in a pre-trial investigation appears highly questionable and should be terminated immediately." In July, 1999, the OSCE will discuss the political situation in Belarus at a session of its parliamentary assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Reuters, May 19)

HUNDREDS ARRESTED DURING PRESIDENTIAL POLL

More than 250 out of the more than 6,000 volunteers who helped carry out the opposition presidential election were arrested between May 6 and May 15, Boris Gunter, CEC Secretary, said after voting ended on May 16. "About 100 were arrested on May 16," he added. (Agence France-Presse, May 17)

On May 16, Nikolai Sharakh, Chair of the Polotsk (Vitebsk region) local electoral commission, and three other commission members were detained, while arranging a polling station in Polotsk. All the detainees were held in custody for 4 hours and then subpoenaed to the City Police Department. The same day about a dozen election campaign activists, including the local election commission head Alexander Abramovich, were arrested in Borisov (Minsk region). (Charter 97, May 17)

On May 16, the police broke into an apartment on Kirov street in Minsk, which had been turned into into a polling station. Ales Barel and Kazimir Lokits, both electoral commission members, were arrested. The policemen filed arrest warrants against them, confiscated ballot boxes and 500 ballots. The law-enforcers also detained observers Valentin Louchko and Mikhola Voran, who were present during the raid. (Spring 96, May 17)

Over 70 members of the opposition have been warned by police in the Gomel region that their attempts to organize presidential elections may entail administrative or criminal liability. Administrative proceedings have been instituted against 6 activists for storing leaflets and other documents relating to the elections. Yevgeny Murashko, chairman of the local election commission, who was already sentenced to the 10 days administrative arrest on May 10, now faces criminal charges. Vladimir Gavrilchik, Gomel Regional Prosecutor, refused to comment on the situation. (Belapan, May 15)

TWO MINORS SEVERELY BEATEN BY MINSK POLICE

On May 18, two minors, Dmitry Kasperovich and Pavel Miagkov, were detained near a cellular phone transmission tower in Minsk right after a red-white-red flag had appeared on top of the tower. Seven policemen brought the youngsters over to their vehicle and severely beat them in the kidneys and groins. Afterward Miagkov was forced to climb up the tower and take off the flag, while the policemen continued beating Kasperovich who was lying on the ground. Two policemen gave him a few kicks in the stomach whereas the third stepped with his boot on his palm. After the flag had been removed, the detainees were driven to the police station. A protocol was drawn up against Kasperovich on accusations of "petty hooliganism". (Spring 96, May 19)

OPPOSITION: FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER REPORTEDLY ABDUCTED

On May 16, the opposition Public Committee On the Disappearance of General Yury Zakharenko, the former inister of Internal Affairs, issued the first results of its investigation. Oleg Volchek, the head of the Committee, stated that Yury Zakharenko, who has been missing since May 7, was probably kidnapped. The Committee found several witnesses of the abduction who told the Committee that "five or six people waited for Zakharenko in a black Zhiguli car and another three were on the street. They attacked Zakharenko when he came near." Zakharenko reportedly tried to resist and called for help before the car left for an unknown destination. (Charter 97, May 17)

AUTHORITIES DENY MISSING FORMER CHIEF BANKER FOUND DEAD

The Belarusian Interior Ministry has refuted the emerging rumors that on the morning of May 14, the body of Tamara Vinikova, former chairman of the Belarusian National Bank, was found in the Komsomolskoye lake in Minsk. On April 7, Vinikova disappeared from her Minsk apartment. In January 1997, she was arrested by the Belarusian law-enforcement agencies and charged with abuse of power and embezzlement. In November 1998, she was released due to her poor health on the condition that she should not leave Minsk. Vinikova lived in her own apartment, which was under constant surveillance by police. The Ministry has confirmed that they found a body of an unknown woman in the Komsomolskoye lake, but said that it was not Vinikova. Vinikova's lawyer Ulyashina refused to comment on this information. (BBC, May 18)

PROSECUTOR GENERAL DENIES DEATHS OF MISSING FORMER OFFICIALS

On a May 17 press conference, Oleg Bozhelko, Belarusian Prosecutor General, said that he has no information concerning the recent disappearances of Tamara Vinikova and Yury Zakharenko. "The prosecutor’s office received no information confirming that they have become crime victims. Most likely they are trying to dodge justice," he stated. Bozhelko also denied reports that former minister of agriculture and food Vasily Leonov, who has been in custody since his arrest in November 1997, is on a hunger strike. (BBC, May 19)

CHIGIR’S WIFE WILL REPRESENT HIM AT TRIAL

Julia Chigir, the wife of jailed ex-Premier Mikhail Chigir, will be allowed to represent her husband during the trial as a defense lawyer. She learned of this development when the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring group officials in Minsk received a letter signed by Colonel Lavreniuk confirming that Julia Chigir may serve as Chigir’s counsel in the forthcoming court proceedings. Chigir’s election team believes that Mrs. Chigir has been given this permission due to the presence of Adrian Severin, the head of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Working Group on Belarus, in Minsk in connection with the May 16 elections. (Belapan, May 17)

ANOTHER OPPOSITION ACTIVIST CHARGED

On May 20, a Minsk District Court started hearing the case of Evgeny Skochko, deputy chairman of Youth Front. He is charged under article 186 part 3 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (organization or active participation in mass actions violating the public order) for organizing and coordinating the unauthorized rally "Belarus in Europe!" held on February 14 in Minsk. If found guilty, Skochko may face 3 years in prison. (Charter 97, May 20)

"STOP TERROR IN BELARUS!"

On May 18, Charter 97 started an action "Stop Terror In Belarus!". "Belarus is absorbed by a wave of terror. Thousands of Belarusian citizens - politicians, journalists, human rights advocates, political and civil rights activists, have already fallen victim of persecution by the authorities. Nothing would stop the regime from holding on to power! We urge president Lukashenko to stop violence. Join the action of protest!" reads the Charter’s appeal. Charter 97 invites everyone to sign an open letter to Lukashenko. "We are gravely concerned about a dramatic situation in Belarus, persecution of opposition, violent dissolution of the democratic Parliament, total control over mass media, and beatings of peaceful demonstrators. President Lukashenko, stop this terror and the threatening of opposition, which is trying to peacefully protect democratic values!" reads the appeal. (Charter 97, May 18)

OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER FACES EVICTION

On May 20, without any advance notice, the editorial office of the Naviny opposition newspaper, received an order to vacate the premises. The order came from the public utilities body. In the morning two electricians arrived in the office and attempted to turn the power off. Later, Naviny’s publisher Pavel Zhuk telephoned Rostislav Zubov, chief of the public utilities body. Zubov demanded that Naviny vacate the office by 5 p.m. the same day, explaning that his order was related to some irregularities in the newspaper’s electricity bills. "After talking with Zubov, I realized that the instruction to evict the editorial board had been received from higher authorities," Zhuk told Charter 97 (Charter 97, May 20)

NGOs GO UNDERGROUND

On behave of more than 500 public organizations, the Belarusian Assembly of NGOs appealed to the Belarusian citizens and the international community, urging to stop the destruction of non-government sector in the country. "We have no doubts that the so-called "re-registration" has been designed to eliminate completely the Belarusian NGO sector. The democratic non-government organizations will refuse to incorporate in their charters the "statement of loyalty" to the regime. We will defend the rights of our organization in court but have no illusions as to the outcome of such trials," said the appeal. The Assembly proposes that NGOs will base their re-registration application on the Constitution, ignoring the instructions attached to the decree. (Belaruskaya gazeta, May 18)

LENIN MONUMENT DESECRATED IN LIOZNO

On May 19, residents of Liozno woke up to see anti-presidential graffiti all over the town. The Lenin monument was damaged as well, Vitinformbureau reported. The graffiti read: "Belarus to NATO," "Lukashenko, Resign," "Lukashists – to prison," and "Stop the Russian Horde." The Lenin monument was painted green. The district police station did not register this incident. (Charter 97, May 20)

US SECRETARY OF STATE: BELARUSIAN NGOs NEED SUPPORT

On May 20, making a statement before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Madeleine Albright stressed the importance of providing support to Belarusian NGOs. "We monitor with concern the rise of repression in Belarus, and provide support to NGOs and media outlets in order to help opposition views reach the public," she said. (Federal News Service, May 20)

COUNCIL OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES RECONVENES IN MINSK

Another session of the Coordinating Council of Democratic Forces (CCDF) was held on May 20 in Minsk. During the session Oleg Volchek, chairman of the public committee on Zakharenko’s disappearance, made a report on the matter. The CCDF members also discussed the results of the opposition presidential election campaign. Finally, the CCDF passed a decision to support an action, scheduled for May 24, under the slogan "Freedom to Mikhail Chigir and All the Political Prisoners." (Charter-97, May 20)

BELARUSIAN EMBASSY IN LONDON PICKETED

On May 16, the British Association of Belarusians picketed the Belarusian Embassy in London. About 30 people participated in the action to mark the official date of the presidential election in Belarus. Holding white-red-white flags and banners, the picketers protested against human rights violations, forced Russification, Belarusian government’s support of genocide against Albanians, and its plans to merge with Russia. The action was a response to Amb. Vladimir Shchasny’s refusal to make it possible for Belarusians to vote in Great Britain. Amb. Shchasny claimed that his embassy has received no instructions from the Belarusian Foreign Ministry with regard to the opposition presidential elections. (Charter 97, May 18)

YOUNG DEMOCRATS STAGE PICKETS IN POLAND

On May 16, pickets were held in three Polish cities: Gdansk, Bielostock and Warsaw. All of them were staged by Young Democrats, a youth NGO, which is a wing of the ruling party, Union of Freedom. The aim of the action was to support the opposition presidential elections in Belarus. Over 20 people participated in a demonstration in Warsaw. They shouted "Lukashenko Go Away!", " No Censorship – Freedom to Media", "Lukashenko = Milosevic." "This action is a symbol of solidarity with all democratic forces in Belarus," said Slavamir Novak, Chairman of the Young Democrats. (Charter 97, May 17)

--BELARUSIAN ECONOMY—

WESTERN CARROTS DO NOT WORK

Despite the West's numerous warnings that Belarus is sliding farther into isolation, the Belarusian dictator is laughing all the way to the bank, ignoring these admonitions. After all, the EBRD has signed seven projects totaling $168 million, the World Bank has committed $170 million in loans for restructuring assistance, and the IMF, which recalled its resident last summer, has extended $216 million in loans to Belarus. The existence of these sums, small as they are, demonstrates the West's inability to influence Belarus by offering carrots. Even though little has been done to dismantle the Belarusian state-controlled economy under Lukashenko's leadership. There is no market-based exchange-rate system, the state continues to subsidize all major industries, large- and small-scale enterprises alike are in state hands or have been driven underground. Belarus's GDP is expected to contract by more than 2% this year, while inflation could top 178%. The IMF's scorecard rates Belarus's transformation to a market economy ahead of only Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. (The Wall Street Journal Europe, May 19)

--DROZDY DEVELOPMENTS—

EVICTED FOREIGN DIPLOMATS WILL SOON RECEIVE COMPENSATION?

On May 17, the Belarusian Council of Ministers agreed to set up an interdepartmental commission in order to determine compensation payments to foreign embassies that lost buildings at the Drozdy compound last year. The eleven-member commission will be chaired by Vladimir Gerasimovich, Deputy Foreign Minister. After negotiations with ambassadors, he must submit proposals concerning the amounts and methods of payments. (Belapan, May 17)

BELARUSIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.S. RETURNS TO WASHINGTON

On May 21, Valery Tsepkalo, Belarusian Ambassador to the US, flew to Washington for six days, a Belarusian Foreign Ministry official told Interfax. Tsepkalo was forced to leave the United States last summer after the Belarusian authorities had ordered several ambassadors to leave their places of residence in the Drozdy settlement near the Belarusian president's residence. (Interfax, May 21)

--BROTHER SLAVS--

UNION OF RUSSIA-BELARUS-YUGOSLAVIA

The formation of the Union of Russia, Belarus, and Yugoslavia is "a strategic direction of

Russian foreign policy and the activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the CIS Affairs," acting Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said, responding to questions from State Duma deputies on May 19. He said that if approved as the chairman of the government, he will pay his first visit to Minsk on June 4 to discuss this issue with Lukashenko. (ITAR/TASS, May 19)